Automatic toe-closing of stockings



June 27, 1967 L. T. F. BRYAN ETAL 3,327,664

AUTOMATIC TOE-CLOSING OF STOCKINGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1964June 27, 1967 L. T. F. BRYAN ETAL 3,327,664

AUTOMATIC TOE-CLOSING 0F STOCKINGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1964June 27, 1967 Filed June 26, 1964 F. BRYAN ETAL AUTOMATIC TOE-CLOSING OFSTOCKINGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J1me 1967 L. 'r. F. BRYAN 'ETAL 3,327,664

AUTOMATIC TOE-CLOSING F STOCKINGS Filed June 26, 1964 Sheets-Sheet 4 533 1 J 34 36 I "K35 F ll H 5 i i l "i i I a h! 8 73 June 27, 1967 'r. F.BRYAN ETAL 3,

AUTOMATIC TOE-CLOSING OF STOCKINGS Filed June 26, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5United States Patent 3,327,664 AUTQMATHC TOE- LOSING 0F STOCKINGSLeonard Thomas Frank Bryan and Bob Haselgrove, High Wycomhe, England,assignors to Detexomat Limited, High Wycombe, Buclsinghamshire, England,a British company Filed June 26, 1964, Ser. No. 378,295 Claims priority,application Great Britain, June 28, 1963, 25,817/63 16 Claims. (43].112-462) The invention concerns automatic or semi-automatic toe-closingof stockings, more especially ladies stockings.

In the manufacture of ladies seamless stockings the stocking is knittedas a tube with the welt at one open end and generally a reinforced bandat the other end which is subsequently converted into the toe of thestocking by stitching the band to form the toe outline and cutting awaysurplus material. Such operation of stitching and cutting away isreferred to as a toe-closing operation.

It is also a well-known procedure to draw the stocking prior to toeclosure onto a former or so-called inspection leg by which the fabric isstretched so that it may be visually inspected for flaws.

An object of the invention is to provide an automatic or semi-automaticprocedure for toe-closing and preferably one which enables theoperations of inspection and of toe closure to be undertakensubstantially simultaneously and rapidly by one person. Another objectis to provide apparatus to carry out such procedures.

According to one aspect of the invention a method of closing the toe ofa stocking during manufacture comprises mounting the stocking on acarrier so that the toe portion of the stocking is in a predeterminedposition with respect to said carrier, moving said carrier relative to astocking toe portion clamp means along a predetermined path,transferring the stocking from said carrier to said toe clamp meanswhile maintained in said predetermined position, and thence closing thefabric of the toe portion along a predetermined line while the stockingis held by said clamp means in required position relative to atoe-closing means.

Preferably the carrier is a leg member over which the stocking is drawne.g. so as to inspect the stocking for fiaws.

An identification feature or features on the stocking may assist in thepredetermined positioning of the toe portion of the stocking on the legmember.

Advantageously the carrier mounting the stocking is reciprocated along apredetermined path to an advanced position with the toe end of thestocking projecting beyond said clamp means, and said clamp means isclosed and holds the stocking in the required position while thestocking is stripped from the leg member.

The clamp means holding the stocking in the required position may bemoved relative to the toe-closing means so as to close the fabric of thetoe portion along the predetermined line.

The toe-closing may be effected by a cutting and stitching means.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatusfor closing the toe of a stocking during manufacture comprising astructural framework, a carrier supported by said framework and on whichthe stocking is to be mounted with the toe portion of the per se knownkind mounted stationarily on a housing 6 for stocking in a predeterminedposition with respect to said carrier, a clamp means supported by saidframework,

drive means to move said carrier relative to said clamp means along apredetermined path, the arrangement being such as to transfer thestocking from said carrier to said clamp means while maintained in saidpredetermined position, and toe-closing means located by said frameworkto close the fabric of the toe portion along a predetermined line whilethe stocking is held by said clamp means in required position relativeto said toeclosing means.

Preferably as stated the carrier is a leg member adapted to have thestocking drawn thereover e.g. so as to inspect the stocking for flaws,and the leg drive means is arranged to reciprocate the leg member alongthe predetermined path to an advanced position bringing the toe end of astocking on the leg member to project beyond .the clamp means which inclosed condition acts to hold the stocking in required position whilstthe drive means withdraws the leg member and the toe-closing meanscloses the fabric of the toe portion along the predetermined line.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from theembodiments of methods and apparatus according to the invention whichare hereinafter described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a general layout view of one embodiment of such apparatus,

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the carrier or inspection leg member andits relation to the clamp means and toe closure means,

FIG. 3 shows the drive means for the inspection leg member and anassociated set of switch actuating cams,

FIG. 4 is a partial view showing a detail of the inspection leg member,

FIG. 5 is a part-sectional side view showing the relation between thetoe end of the leg member in an advanced position, the clamp means, andan uncurler means,

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the clamp means, the clamp drive meansand an associated set of switch-actuating cams, and the toe-closingmeans, and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of such set of cams of the clamp drive means.

FIGS, 8 and 9 are diagrammatic side and plan views of another embodimentof apparatus wherein the toe-closing is effected by welding.

Referring to the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 7, this comprises a carrier inthe form of an inspection leg member I mounted and driven with areciprocating movement by drive means in a housing 2, toe portion clampmeans 3 mounted and driven with a restricted rotary movement by drivemeans in a housing 4, and a toe-closing means 5 in the form of a cuttingand sewing machine of generally the sewing machine drive means. Bobbins7 and a thread guide 8 are associated with the sewing machine. A housing6 adjacent the sewing machine housing receives waste material from thecutting and sewing operation.

The leg member 1 is supported cantileverwise at one end by a head 8mounted for manual rotation in a boss 9 which is in turn fixed to an endof a leg drive rod 10 of square section slidable lengthwise in twospaced sets of bearings 11 (FIG. 3). The leg 1 is held against rotationwith either side uppermost by spring catch means 22 (FIG. 4) co-actingwith appropriate sockets 13 between the head 8 and boss 9. The leg 1consists of a flat thin plate 14 on each side of which two spaced ribs15 extend tapering towards the free toe portion 16 of the leg but endingsome distance short thereof. The toe portion 16 is of less width thanthe main portion and is joined thereto by a pair of shoulders. In theimmediate vicinity of each shoulder there is an aperture 17. An aperture18 extends transversely partly across the toe portion 16 and a line 19marked on the leg extends at right angles to the leg axis from each endof the aperture 18.

The leg drive means includes a drum wheel means 20 (FIG, 3) mounted forrotation on a bearing 21 fixed in the housing 2, the axis of rotationlying the same horizontal plane as the leg drive rod axis. The drum 20is driven by an electric motor 22 incorporating an electromagnetic brake22 via a gear box 23 and pulley and belt drive 24. A cam follower roller25 is mounted on the drum 20, and a cam groove member 26 is fixed to theleg drive rod 10, the cam follower roller 25 co-acting with the camgroove to impart the reciprocating movement to the rod and leg 1 uponrotation of the drum 20. The cam groove comprises a central arcuateportion 27 having its centre of curvature on the axis of reciprocationof the drive rod 10 and having the same radius of curvature as theradius of rotation of the cam follower roller 25. Each end of thearcuate portion 27 leads with smooth blending into a straight portionnormal to said axis of reciprocation. A dwell period is thereby impartedto the leg 1 in its advanced position, at which time the cam roller 25is moving along the arcuate portion 27 of the cam groove and no movementis imparted to the cam groove member 26.

The drum 20 carries spaced around its periphery a set of cams LC1, LC2and LC3 which each co-act with a related micro-switch LS1, LS2 and LS3respectively fixed in the housing 2. In FIG. 3 the switches are showndiagrammatically for clarity in one plane, but in fact the cams andassociated switches are in three spaced vertical planes.

The clamp means 3, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, includes opposed upperand lower arcuate jaw members 31, 32 faced with resilient material 33and which each constitute a marginal edge or segment of a disc form. Thejaws are slidably mounted on one vertical guide post 34 and have tongues35 engaging in a slot in a second parallel guide post 36. The guideposts are fixed in a frame 37 carried by a radialarm 38 pivotallymounted about the axis of such disc forms on the clamp drive housing 4.The jaws 31, 32 are urged to closed condition by a slotted cam platemember 39 cooperating with pegs 40 on the jaws, the cam member beingelectrically actuated by way of a Bowden cable 41, The jaws are urged toopen condition by a spring 42 acting on the cam member 39 in theopposite sense to the cable 41. Such clamp operating mechanism has acover 42'.

The radial arm 38 is fixed on the upper end of a vertical drive shaft 43driven in the housing 4 by an electric motor 44 via an electro-magneticclutch 45. The arm 38 is urged for return movement to an initialstarting position of the clamp means by a spring 46. A dash pot deviceindicated at 47 is associated with the drive shaft 43 to control suchreturn movement, which is limited by a stop e.g. indicated at 48.

The drive shaft 43 carries a set of cams CC1, CC2, CC3 which each co-actwith a related micro'switch CS1, CS2, CS3 respectively fixed in thehousing 4. The cams and associated switches are in three spacedhorizontal planes, but in FIG. 7 the switches are shown diagrammaticallyin one plane for clarity.

An uncurler means 50 is mounted stationary on housing 6 just beyond theclamp jaws 31, 32 and includes arcuate jaws 51, 52 which are actuatedwith a scissor action about 4 a pivot pin 53 carried by a support 54.The jaws are gently closed with electrical actuation via a Bowden cable55 and urged open by a spring 56.

The cutting and sewing machine 5 is driven by an electric motor 57 viaan electro-magnetic clutch 58 and belt and pulley drive 59. The sewingmachine presser foot indicated at 60 is electrically actuated to workingposition, with spring return to rest position. A deflector plate 5' isincorporated with the sewing machine to guide the cut and stitched endof the stocking out of further engagement with the cutting and sewingmeans, such end being guided beyond the presser foot in the direction ofarrow D in FIG. 6.

A vacuum pump 61 also in housing 6 communicates via passage 62 with bins63, 64 in the housing 6, the bin 63 receiving via a suction tube 65waste chain linking cut from the sewing machine, and the bin 64receiving via a suction passage 66 waste surplus fabric cut from the toeof the stockings.

A pneumatic conveyor mouth is indicated at 67, to receive the stockingsafter toe closing.

A safety device 68 is provided to ensure that the operators hands cannotbe carried by the inspection leg 1 to between the clamp jaws and thencetowards the sewing machine. The device comprises a rod pivotally mountedon the housing 4 so that as the leg 1 is advanced it moves close pastthe safety rod movement of which controls the leg drive motor. If theoperators hand is over the end of the leg 1 and is carried forward itwill strike the safety rod to pivot same and stop the leg drive motor.

In operation, a stocking S is drawn over the leg 1 so that thereinforced band B which is to be converted into the toe portion is at ornear the leg toe portion 16. The stocking fabric is thereby stretchedand may be rapidly and accurately inspected by eye, the leg 1 beingrotated by hand so that both flat sides of the stocking are scanned. Theinner transverse edge E of the reinforced band B is brought intoalignment with the transverse datum line 19 on the leg. The edge E isvisible on both sides of the leg 7 due to the datum aperture 18 and itis therefore possible to superpose the opposite edges. The toe portionof the stocking is therefore located on the leg in a predeterminedposition. It is to be understood that such adjustment is performedduring the inspection so that additional time and effort if any isrelatively insignificant. Other forms of identification feature orfeatures on the stocking may assist in its predetermined positioning.

The stocking has to be presented to the clamp and toe closing meanswhile inside out. The stocking may be delivered to the inspectionstation in this condition in which event it is simply necessary for theoperator to draw it over the leg. However, if the stocking is deliveredto the inspection station right side out then the operator will turn thestocking inside out when drawing the stocking over the end of the leg.In doing so the operator lays the stocking along the top flat surface ofthe leg between the respective ribs 15 and turns the welt W back at oneside over the toe end of the leg. Thereafter the welt is pulledlengthwise along the leg with the effect that the stocking is drawnthereon inside out. The ribs 15 ensure that the stocking cannot slip offsideways when first laid on the leg, and furthermore as the stocking isdrawn over the leg it is raised from the upper leg surface and theremainder of the stocking sliding therealong so that frictionalengagement between that remainder and the part of the stocking alreadydrawn over the leg is reduced or eliminated.

The above procedure applies to tubular stockings having no reinforcedheels. However, the invention is equally applicable to seamlessstockings having reinforced heels. These are commonly made so that oneach side of the heel there is a triangular reinforced portion asindicated at H, the base of each triangle being defined by the roundportion of the heel and the apex of the triangle being is drawn over theinspection leg in the manner described above and the reinforced toe bandB is located on the leg in the manner indicated. The reinforced heelportion H is positioned so that the apex of both triangular portions isaligned with the same leg .datum aperture 17 and the stocking is soadjusted that the apices coincide. In this way the reinforced toe bandis located in predetermined relationship with the heel so that the lineof toe closure is correspondingly related upon completion of the toeclosing operation.

With the stocking correctly positioned inside out on the leg in startingposition as in FIG. 2, the operator presses a starter switch button inan electrical control circuit to release the electro-magnetic brake 22'and start the motor 22 in the leg drive, so that the leg is advanced apredetermined extent to the position shown in FIG. 5

between the open jaws of the clamp means and the uncurler means. Cam LCIof the leg drive actuates microswitch LS1 to bring the clamp anduncurler jaws simultaneously to closed condition on the stocking toeportion,

during the dwell period of the leg in advanced position. 25

The leg is then withdrawn on its return stroke. The resilient faces ofthe clamp means continue to grip the stocking fabric and hold same in arequired position against movement while the leg is withdrawn, the legbeing smooth and offering little frictional engagement to the stockingfabric. At the end of the return stroke the leg is stopped in theoriginal starting position due to coaction of cam L03 with micro-switchLS3 to stop the leg drive motor 22 and re-engage the electro-magneticbrake 22. The operator slides the welt end of the stocking to the leftin FIG. 2 to strip the stocking off the leg and offers it into thepneumatic conveyor mouth 67 Where it is retained, the toe portion stillbeing held in the clamp and uncurler means.

As the leg is withdrawn, cam LCZ in the leg drive actu a restricted areas indicated by arrow C in FIG. 7 relative to the cutting and sewingmachine to cut and stitch such toe portion along the predeterminedclosure line T which is arcuate about the axis of rotation of the clampmeans. The actuation of micro-switch LS2 simultaneously engages thecutting and sewing machine drive by the electro-magnetic clutch 58.

On commencement of the clamp rotary drive, the cam CCZ of such driveoperates micro-switch CS2 to bring the presser foot 60 of the sewingmachine into action. The

uncurler jaws 51, 52 gently engaging the fabric of the 55 stocking atthe toe end just beyond the clamp means act to uncurl such fabric as itis drawn through such jaws by the rotary movement of the clamp meanstowards the cutting and sewing machine.

At the end of the forward restricted arcuate movement of the clampmeans, to the point indicated at F in FIG. 2, the toe portion of thestocking has been cut and stitched along the predetermined closure lineT as aforesaid. That is, in the known manner the edge is cut, rolledover and sewn by the machine. The cam 5 CC3 of the clamp drive operatesmicro-switch CS3 to disengage the electro-magnetic clutch 45 in theclamp drive, the clamp means being thereupon returned by the spring 46to the initial starting position as shown in FIG. 2, with co-action ofthe dash pot device 47 and limit stop 48. The operation of micro-switchCS3 also disengages the electro-magnetic clutch 58 in the cutting andsewing machine drive.

011 return of the clamp means to the initial starting position, cam CClof the clamp drive operates microswitch CS1 to de-energise theelectrical actuation of the jaws of the clamp and uncurler means,whereupon the respective springs 42, 56 return such jaws to opencondition. The stocking with toe closed is thereby released from theclamp means and sucked away through the pneumatic conveyor mouth 67.

At this stage the cams will have re-set the micro-switches to initialcondition and the operator will have positioned another stocking on theleg, and the sequence of operations is repeated with great rapidity.

The waste material is removed as aforesaid.

In the apparatus as illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 8 and 9 thetoe closing is effected by welding the fabric of the toe portion alongthe predetermined closure line T and severing the surplus material atthe reinforced toe end B of the stocking S.

Thus in line with the reciprocating inspection leg 1 there is a clampmeans 3 for holding the stocking during the toe closing operationcomprising a pair of superposed clamp jaws 31', 32' faced with resilientmaterial 33' and movable between open and closed conditions to hold thestocking in the predetermined position after withdrawal of the leg 1,all substantially as described above.

Both clamp jaws may be moved towards each other as above or one clampjaw only may be moved, with open and closing movement imparted by meansas de scribed above or in any other convenient manner e.g. usingpneumatic, mechanical or electrical means.

The welding means comprises a pair of high frequency welding electrodes70 similarly movable towards and away from each other. The electrodesare immediately adjacent the clamps. The electrodes are connected to asource of high frequency electric current and are movable to engage thefabric between the electrodes in any convenient manner (e.g.pneumatically, mechanically or electrically) the arrangement being thatthe electrodes are applied to the fabric with a predetermined pressure.While the electrodes are so engaged with the fabric the high frequencycurrent is applied to the electrodes with the result that the materialof the fabric is fused or welded together.

' The electrodes are pointed or edge shaped so that engagement with thefabric is on a relatively narrow line. Furthermore the pointed or edgedelectrodes either cut through the material along the edge of the weld orseal line or weaken the material along such line so that surplusmaterial is readily severed subsequently. To this end the apparatus maycomprise a pair of jaws 71 which move towards and away from each otherto grip the surplus material projecting beyond the electrodes 70. Thegripper jaws 71 are so constructed and arranged as to hold the surplusmaterial while the stocking is removed from the clamp means 31', 32'after the toe closing operation, in the case that the electrodes cutthrough the fabric, or to tear the material away from the stocking, inthe case that the electrodes 70 are pro vided to weaken the fabric alongthe weld line. In the latter case the clamp jaws 31', 32 may remainclosed to hold the stocking while the surplus material is removed by thegripper jaws 71. To this end these jaws 71 may be moved, while they gripthe fabric, lengthwise of the inspection leg 1 away from the clamp means31, 32 remaining in closed position, the electrodes 78 having beenseparated.

The clamp jaws, electrodes and gripper jaws are shaped to correspond tothe weld line T which is to be produced. It is adequate in manyinstances for the weld line to be an arc of a circle in which event theclamps, electrodes and jaws are correspondingly shaped. However, theweld lines may be of other outline in which event the clamps electrodesand jaws are correspondingly formed.

To enable a sequence of such operations to be performed automatically itis arranged that the various movements are controlled by micro-switchesactuated by movements of the inspection leg, clamp jaws, electrodes andso on, after the operator has pressed a starter button. The weldingoperation is determined by a time control device.

Such welding is particularly applicable to stockings made from nylon,but may be applied to other textile materials which are coated orimpregnated with a substance which enables such a welding operation tobe performed thereon.

The Welding may be by electrical high frequency heating as indicatedabove or ultra-sonic welding equipment.

In an alternative procedure thetoe closing may be effected usingadhesive to unite the fabric of the toe portion along the predeterminedline and severing the surplus material at the toe end of the stocking. v

In the embodiments as described, the toe-closing operation is effectedonly at a reinforced toe portion of the stocking. However, the inventionis similarly applicable where the toe closing also involves closing thestocking fabric along a predetermined line extending from the toeportion any desired distance along the insole from the toe to the heelportion. Also, the toe portion of the stocking need not be reinforced.

Although the invention has been specifically described in relation tostockings and more especially ladies stockings, it is equally asapplicable to the toe-closing of ladies, mens and childrens socks or socalled half hose. In this connection, the terms stocking as usedthroughout the claims appended to this specification is to be taken toinclude half hose.

The method and apparatus according to this invention does not, ofcourse, necessarily involve inspecting the stockings for flaws whilstthey are mounted on the carrier or inspection leg and the inspectionstep may quite Well be dispensed with in certain circumstances. In thiscase, it would not be necessary to stretch the stocking out fully on thecarrier leg when mounting it thereon, provided that the toe portion isproperly drawn on and positioned for the toe-closing operation. Althoughthe stockings have been described as being manually mounted on thecarrier or leg, automatic machinery could be used for this purpose.

The Bowden cable actuating means described may be replaced by any othersuitable actuating means. The electric micro-switches described may bereplaced by any other suitable electric switch means.

We claim:

1. A method of closing the toe of a stocking during manufacturecomprising drawing the stocking over a leg member so that the toeportion of the stocking is in a predetermined position with respect tosaid leg member, moving said leg member in translatory motion relativeto a clamp means along a predetermined path, to an advanced positionwith the toe end of the stocking projecting beyond said clamp means,closing said clamp means and holding the stocking in the requiredposition and withdrawing said leg member, closing the fabric of the toeportion along a predetermined line while the stocking is held by saidclamp means.

2. A method according to claim 1 including the step of aligning anidentifiable feature on the stocking with respect to an identifiablefeature on the leg member to place the stocking on said leg member insaid predetermined position. 3. A method according to claim 1 includingthe step of rotating said clamp means holding the stocking in therequired position through a restricted are relative to a toe-closingmeans and closing the fabric of the toe portion along a predeterminedline which is arcuate about the axis of such rotation.

4. A method of closing the toe of a stocking during manufacturecomprising mounting the stcoking on a carrier leg member having a fiattoe portion over which the stocking is drawn so as to inspect thestocking for flaws and so that the toe portion of the stocking is in apredetermined position on said flat toe portion of said leg member,moving said leg member relative to a clamp means along a predeterminedpath to bring the toe end of the stocking on said toe. portion of saidleg member to a position projecting beyond said clamp means,.closingsaid clamp means to hold the stocking maintained in the predeterminedposition and withdrawing said leg member to the extent at least thatsaid flat toe portion is withdrawn from the clamped-toe ends of thestocking; and closing the fabric of the toe portion along apredetermined line while the stocking is held by said clamp means inrequired position relative to a toe-closing means.

5. A method to claim 4 including the step of moving said clamp meansholding the stocking in the required position relative to a toe-closingmeans, and closing the fabric of-the toe portion along the predeterminedline which is determined by the path of relative motion.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of moving the clampmeans is carried out by rotating said clamp means past said toe closingmeans, whereby the fabric will be closed about an arcuate line.

7. A method according to claim 5 wherein the movement of said carrierleg member and the movement of said clamp means are independent of eachother.

8. Apparatus for closing the toe of a stocking during manufacturecomprising a structural framework, a stocking carrier supported by saidframework and on which the stocking is to be mounted with the toeportion of the stocking in a predetermined position with respect to saidcarrier, a clamp means supported by said framework and including opposednormally open and closeable jaws, drive means to move said carrierrelative to said clamp means along a predetermined path, to' an advancedposition bringing the toe end of a stocking on said carrier to projectbeyond the jaws of said clamp means, said clamp means when in closedcondition holding the stocking in position, said drive means furthermoving said carrier to a withdrawn position wherein said carrier isWithdrawn from between said jaws; and toe-closing means located by saidframework to close the fabric of the toe portion along a predeterminedline while the stocking is held by said clamp means in required positionrelative to said toeclosing means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said leg member presents datummeans to co-operate with at least one identifiable feature on thestocking to assist in the predetermined positioning of the toe portionof the stocking on the leg member.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 including resilient facing materialon said opposed jaws to hold the stocking in the required position.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8 including drive means connected tosaid clamp means moving said clamp means past said toe closing means topermit said toe closing means to close the fabric of the toe portionalong said predetermined line.

12. Apparatus according to claim 8 including clamp drive means forrotating said clamp means through a restricted are relative to saidtoe-closing means, and means actuating said toe closing means as theclamp means rotates to close the fabric of the toe portion along thepredetermined line which is arcuate about the axis of rotation of saidclamp means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said carrier drive meansincludes a motor driven wheel means, a cam follower mounted on saidwheel means, and a member presenting a cam groove and attached to saidcarrier, said cam groove including an arcuate portion having the sameradius of curvature as the radius of rotation of said cam follower andlocated to impart a dwell period to said carrier in its advancedposition, said cam follower co-acting with the cam groove to impart thereciprocating movement to said rod and carrier.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the length of said arcuateportion is arranged such that the dwell of said carrier in the advancedposition is of sulficient time to allow said clamp means to be actuatedto closed condition to hold the stocking in the required position.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means actuating saidtoe closing means includes a set of cams, and electric switches in anelectrical circuit co-act with said cams for automatically controlling asequence of operations.

16. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said drive means moves saidcarrier in a reciprocating motion between said advanced and saidwithdrawn positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Dittrich 1122 Larkin 1122 Wilderet a1 112-2 X Arbter 1122 Buckreus et a1. 1 12-252 Graves 112-2 10JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

J. R. BOLER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A METHOD OF CLOSING THE TOE OF A STOCKING DURING MANUFACTURECOMPRISING DRAWING THE STOCKING OVER A LEG MEMBER SO THAT THE TOEPORTION OF THE STOCKING IS IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION WITH RESPECT TOSAID LEG MEMBER, MOVING SAID LEG MEMBER IN TRANSLATORY MOTION RELATIVETO A CLAMP MEANS ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH, TO AN ADVANCED POSITIONWITH THE TOE END OF THE STOCKING PROJECTING BEYOND SAID CLAMP MEANS,CLOSING SAID CLAMP MEANS AND HOLDING THE STOCKING IN THE REQUIREDPOSITION AND WITHDRAWING SAID LEG MEMBER, CLOSING THE FABRIC OF THE TOEPORTION ALONG A PREDETERMINED LINE WHILE THE STOCKING IS HELD BY SAIDCLAMP MEANS.